The private theater, cigar lounge, and white-walled courtyard with black tiles of the Jiangnan-style mansion, these things that opened Chen Er Gou's eyes to a new world, together with the four characters "Hidden World Fuxi", formed the extraordinary 21 Club. Like a Kunqu opera actress who was well-versed in the art of seduction, she swayed gently in Chen Er Gou's mind, and he found it hard to imagine what kind of stunning private clubs Chen Yuanshu and Meng Donghai had that were even more luxurious. Originally, seeing those standalone villas at Shanshui Huamen was already shocking enough, but after visiting the 21 Club for a night and staying at the Hilton Hotel, he realized he was still just a frog who hadn't jumped out of the well. Back in his neighborhood, he described it to Zhang Sanqian, and the kids listened with envy and longing in their eyes. Although they didn't get to see the big shots who were hiding in seclusion yesterday, at least they got to watch two Kunqu operas, have a big meal, and sleep in a five-star hotel. When Chen Yuanshu sent him back, he said that once there was a lead, he would come pick him up, so Chen Er Gou waited patiently, wearing his uniform and patrolling around Shanshui Huamen, always thinking to himself "what I gained is what I lost". Without the 9,000-year-old Wei Duan Gong, this little security guard's prospects were greatly reduced. Wang Huren saw it in his eyes but didn't say anything. At first, he chose Shanshui Huamen simply because it was quiet and unlikely to cause trouble, not hoping to make a name for himself or climb up the social ladder by clinging to Wei Duan Gong, that towering tree. But originally, he thought that the tall tree that reached the sky would never fall, which was beyond Wang Huren's imagination.

  In the dead of night, Wang Hu lay on the upper bunk and turned over to ask Wang Jiefang, who was sleeping on the lower bunk: "Jiefang, don't you think that the cold in the south is very different from our north?"

  Wang Jiefang slept lightly, and at the slightest sound of wind or movement, he would instinctively jump out of bed. This was a habit he had developed from his previous experiences digging graves. Otherwise, he wouldn't even know if someone came to behead him in the middle of the night.

  This time was no exception. After hearing Wang Hu's question, he immediately sat up, making quite a commotion, and rubbed his eyes. With a sleepy gaze, he said: "It's not quite the same. Our north is cold, but as long as we wear thick clothes, we can withstand even the strongest winds. But it's different here in the south - it's cold and gloomy, and before you know it, the chill has seeped into your bones.

  I think these southerners are not lacking in cunning and cleverness, just like their weather - calm on the surface but treacherous beneath. They appear friendly and hospitable, but deep down, they're shrewd and calculating."

  Wang Hu looked up at the ceiling, with his legs raised, and said: "This southern weather is indeed gentle and subtle, just like the people here. I know you're talking about Wei Duan Gong, he's a unique character, no wonder the Nanjing people call him 'Nine Thousand Years Old' and address him as 'Wei Gong Gong', it's as if he's an immortal eunuch, only pity he died too early, otherwise Er Gou would have followed him for a while longer and his vision and skills would have improved several levels. At the rate Er Gou is developing now, in three years at most, he'll be able to walk sideways in Nanjing, and we won't need to worry about making our first pot of gold."

  Wang Jiefang let out a soft sigh in the darkness, he was completely different from his cousin Wang Huren, and also not like Chen Ergou. He was a guy who didn't plan for the next meal as long as he had eaten enough for one meal, so Wang Huren always scolded him as a useless Abdu. Who is Abdu? Wang Jiefang didn't know either. He thought it was useless to read too many books, being able to write his own name was enough. What's the point of reading books until becoming a PhD or a billionaire? Their women would still take the initiative to invite him to bed? Wang Jiefang's life had always been gray, he had no great regrets, no great ambitions, and no great desires. He stared at the bed board, actually there was something he didn't dare say to Wang Huren, he always thought Chen Ergou was the same kind of person as Wei Duogong, although he was a worthy person to be friends with, but Wang Jiefang never wanted to open his heart to him, because he felt that Chen Ergou was the kind of person who would sacrifice others for his own success. Wang Jiefang wasn't afraid of being betrayed or used by him, but he didn't want to become a stepping stone for Chen Ergou's rise to power.

  "Twenty-one Club."

  Wang Hu's slightly hoarse voice sounded particularly eerie in the dark and narrow room. Wang Jiefang made a phone call to him, and he told Wang Jiefang to tail Chen Yuanshu's Maserati. Wang Jiefang was very skilled at this line of work. After hailing a taxi, he drove himself and had the driver sit in the passenger seat, like a leopard stalking its prey, and followed them to the 21 Club. Afterwards, he also tailed Meng Donghai, and even managed to sneak a peek at Chen Yuanshu's meeting with a private investigator the next day. All of this was part of Wang Hu's plan, and Wang Jiefang was undoubtedly a top-notch professional. He carried out all these tasks flawlessly, perhaps proving that Wang Hu was right - Wang Jiefang didn't have what it took to do big things, but when it came to "small things", he could take them to an extreme.

  "Little brother, what's next?" Wang Jiefang asked in a low voice. He enjoyed the life of being ordered around by Wang Huzeng, it was fulfilling.

  "Get a clear understanding of Meng Donghai's situation, see if there are any handles in his private life, such as a second wife or illegitimate children. Also, check if he has any vices like gambling or drugs. As a secretary, you can also pay attention to his master's driver, that might be a good entry point, who knows what kind of dirt we can dig up. Since he's interested in Er Gou, we need to have some leverage or something that can move him. Once we're at the negotiating table, the worst thing is to not have any trump cards." Wang Hu said coldly, his current actions were just secretly helping Chen Ergou hold onto a few good cards that hadn't been played yet.

  "No problem." Wang Jiefang said in a deep voice.

  "That man who met with Chen Yuanshu, be careful when you investigate him, I think he won't be a simple person. If it really gets to the point of no return, before killing him, it's best to dig out all the information from his mouth. People in their line of work must have many secrets of big shots, dig them out, and with some means, they can all be turned into money." Wang Hu said coldly.

  "I'll try to make it a bit cleaner." Wang Jiefang nodded and said.

  "When something happens, don't leave any clues for them, otherwise it won't be just you who's finished. Er Gou can't take the stress now. He's been struggling, running from Shanghai to Nanjing to work as a security guard, and then he ran into the arrogant Wei Duan Gong. He couldn't bear the humiliation and swallowed his anger, thinking he had climbed up a big tree and saw a glimmer of hope. But the tree suddenly fell, and then Chen Yuanshu appeared on stage, introducing a powerful backstage boss who might be all-powerful. Er Gou must be both fearful and expectant."

  Wang Hu sighed and said: "Alas, if all the resources left by Wei Duan Gong could be obtained, Er Gou would have made a fortune."

  "Little brother, are you taking good care of Er Gou?" Wang Jiefang asked cautiously.

  "Nonsense."

  Wang Hu smiled and scolded: "You don't understand, this thing can only be endured by holding back and suffering. When the time comes, it will burst out in a mighty torrent, that's when it feels good. Don't look at Er Gou being busy every day, not having any free time, actually he must be like us, unable to sleep at night, holding back his grievances."

  Wang Jiefang smiled slightly.

  Wang Hu closed his eyes and said, "Go to sleep, anyway we're watching from the side. Even if Wei Duan Gong's line is broken, Er Gou can still take over. If this kind of villain doesn't get what's coming to him, it would be against the will of heaven."